Abstract

ROCA, Leslye  and  MEJIA SALAS, Héctor. Prevalence and risk factors associated with obesity and overweight. Rev. bol. ped. [online]. 2008, vol.47, n.1, pp.8-12. ISSN 1024-0675.

Objective: to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated to overweight and obesity in children of first year elementary school in the city of Oruro in the year 2007. Design: transversal cohort with case control. Place: 25 educational units in the city of Oruro. Participants: 750 boys and girls, 5 to 7 years old of the first year of elemental school of educational establishments in the city of Oruro, selected randomly. Material and methods: we measure the Body Mass Index (BMI) using the standardized curves of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and at the same time we applied an interview to the parents of the children where we asked for predictive variables (breastfeeding, hours of television a day, use of school transport, physical activity, diet). Results: we found a high prevalence in overweight (24%) and obesity (6%), without statistically signifi cant differences between sexes. Among the predictive variables studied, the use of school transport is associated with obesity and overweight, OR: 1.75 (IC 95% 1.14-2.70). Exclusive breastfeeding for a time less than three months of age was associated to a risk of obesity and overweight with an OR: 10.54 (IC 95% 1.21-1.50). Conclusions: there is an elevated prevalence in obesity and overweight in school age children in the city of Oruro, it is important that we plan effective preventive actions and education of malnutrition in this age group.

Keywords : obesity; overweight; body mass index; school children.

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